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Average

#1941 of 2,648 schools in NC

Ben L. Smith High School

High School · Guilford County Schools

2407 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407

Enrollment

1,397

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Greensboro

#66 of 80

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#280 of 579

In district

#100 of 121

Guilford County Schools

About Ben L. Smith High School

Ben L. Smith High School serves 1,397 students in grades 9-12 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Located on South Holden Road in Guilford County, this regular public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with 85 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.

The school currently ranks #2091 out of 2661 schools statewide, placing it in the 22nd percentile for North Carolina high schools. Academic performance shows room for growth, with 34% of students scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across grade levels. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10, Ben L.

Smith High School is focusing on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from the surrounding 27407 ZIP code area, a diverse community of 54,257 residents where the median household income is $56,198 and median home value reaches $185,800. About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 16.8 percent.

This demographic mix creates an environment where students from various socioeconomic backgrounds come together for their high school experience. Ben L. Smith High School operates within Greensboro's large city setting, providing students access to the educational and cultural opportunities that come with an urban environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2%
Math vs. State Avg-39.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.4 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,036

Ben L. Smith High School — Students at Ben L. Smith High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 25.4%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 32.1%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
28%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
16.2%
ELA
34.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Ben L. Smith High School Compares

See how Ben L. Smith High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in NC
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
5.6% participation·72 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2407 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ben L. Smith High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Academy at Smith (rated 6.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, UNCG Early/Middle College (rated 6.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Greensboro, see our Greensboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy at Smith Greensboro 0.3 mi 6.3
Archer Elementary Greensboro 1.0 mi 6.8
Hunter Elementary Greensboro 1.3 mi 5.4
Guilford eLearning University Prep Greensboro 1.3 mi 8.0
Sedgefield Elementary Greensboro 1.1 mi 7.5
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro 1.2 mi 8.7
Murphey Traditional Academy Greensboro 1.3 mi 6.9
Jackson Middle Greensboro 1.4 mi 4.6
Next Generation Academy Greensboro 1.8 mi 8.2
Cyrus P Frazier Elementary Greensboro 2.0 mi 7.3
Allen Middle Greensboro 2.1 mi 6.4
Clara J Peck Elementary Greensboro 2.0 mi 7.1
HOPE ACADEMY GSO Greensboro 2.2 mi 6.5
Julius I Foust Elementary Greensboro 2.1 mi 6.9
Triad Math and Science Academy Greensboro 2.2 mi 7.5
John Van Lindley Elementary Greensboro 2.8 mi 8.6
Pilot Elementary Greensboro 2.6 mi 6.5
OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Greensboro 3.0 mi 6.8
Wiley Accel/Enrichment Greensboro 2.7 mi 5.0
UNCG Early/Middle College Greensboro 3.0 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,308

Median Home Value

$203,800

Median Rent

$1,113/mo

Population

52,583

College Educated

35.2%

Homeownership

47.2%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ben L. Smith High School has a median household income of $59,308. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,800, with a median rent of $1,113/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
E E Smith High Fayetteville, NC 5.4
Fike High Wilson, NC 5.4
Harding University High School Charlotte, NC 5.4
Middle Creek High Apex, NC 5.4
North Davidson High Lexington, NC 5.4
North Lincoln High Lincolnton, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ben L. Smith High School

What grades does Ben L. Smith High School serve?

Ben L. Smith High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ben L. Smith High School?

Ben L. Smith High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben L. Smith High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ben L. Smith High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ben L. Smith High School rank in NC?

Ben L. Smith High School is ranked #1941 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Ben L. Smith High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben L. Smith High School has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ben L. Smith High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben L. Smith High School has 25.4% math proficiency and 32.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ben L. Smith High School a charter school?

No, Ben L. Smith High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ben L. Smith High School a Title I school?

No, Ben L. Smith High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben L. Smith High School?

99.8% of students at Ben L. Smith High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,336/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Greensboro). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,397
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Guilford County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Guilford County Schools
District Enrollment
67,832
Schools in District
124
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,897
District Rank
#100 of 121

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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